Job 29:4

In Job 29:4, Job, amidst his profound suffering, recalls a time of immense blessing and intimate communion with God. This verse is part of a poignant soliloquy where Job contrasts his former honored and prosperous life with his current desolate state. He yearns for the days when God's favor was undeniably manifest in every aspect of his existence, a time he refers to as "the days of my youth."

Context

Chapter 29 marks the beginning of Job's final defense and lament, where he expresses a deep longing for his past. Prior to his trials, Job was a man of great integrity, wealth, and influence, highly respected in his community (Job 1:1-3). He reminisces about the public honor he received, the wisdom he dispensed, and the justice he upheld. This specific verse, however, delves beyond the external blessings to highlight the spiritual core of his former prosperity: a close, personal relationship with the Almighty. It sets the stage for understanding the depth of his loss, not just materially, but spiritually, as he grieves the perceived withdrawal of God's intimate presence.

Key Themes

• Divine Intimacy and Counsel: The phrase "the secret of God was upon my tabernacle" speaks to a profound level of communion. It suggests Job was not merely blessed by God, but was privy to divine counsel and enjoyed a unique, confidential relationship, as if in God's inner circle. This intimacy was a source of his wisdom and guidance, underpinning all his outward success.
• Nostalgia for Lost Favor: Job's lament is permeated with a deep yearning for the tangible presence and evident favor of God he once experienced. This isn't just about lost wealth or social standing, but the perceived withdrawal of God's active hand and counsel from his daily life, creating a spiritual vacuum.
• God's Presence as a Dwelling: "Upon my tabernacle" can refer to Job's dwelling place, his home, or metaphorically, his very being. It implies that God's protective, guiding, and blessing presence rested upon his life and everything associated with him, making his life a sanctuary where God's favor resided.

Linguistic Insights

The KJV phrase "the secret of God" translates the Hebrew word sod (סוֹד). This word carries multiple layers of meaning, including "council," "confidential discussion," "intimate friendship," or "secret assembly." It implies a privileged access to God's thoughts or plans, or being part of His inner circle. For Job, it wasn't just general knowledge about God, but a deep, personal understanding and communion, similar to how Psalm 25:14 states, "The secret of the Lord is with them that fear him." This linguistic nuance reinforces the idea of Job's unique spiritual privilege and intimate walk with God during his prosperous years, making his current desolation all the more painful.

Practical Application

Job's reflection in Job 29:4 reminds us of the profound value of an intimate relationship with God. While we may not always experience God's blessings in the same tangible ways as Job did in his youth, the verse encourages us to seek a deeper, more confidential walk with Him. It highlights that true prosperity is not just material wealth, but the invaluable presence and counsel of God in our "tabernacle"—our lives and homes. Even in times of difficulty, recalling past seasons of God's evident favor can strengthen our faith and remind us of His unchanging character, prompting us to seek His "secret" presence anew, trusting that He is always near, even when circumstances suggest otherwise (Romans 8:28).